The force has previously backed campaigns by Leicestershire Police Federation and Unison, which represent rank-and-file officers and civilian staff, for better protection against violent members of the public.

“It is never acceptable to assume that assaults upon police officers and staff should be tolerated, they are not simply ‘part of the job’.

“While it is clear that the nature of policing requires members of the organisation to handle difficult and hostile situations, assaults upon them are serious and unacceptable.

Tiff Lynch, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation, said: “We have seen a growing number of assaults on police officers in recent years and all too often it has appeared that those guilty of these attacks have been given lenient sentences or, in some cases, have not even been prosecuted.

“We are pushing for all those who assault police officers to be brought before the courts.

“An attack on a police officer should be seen as an attack on society and should not be tolerated.

Tiffany Lynch, chairman of Leicestershire Police Federation

“In this incident, the officer concerned was on duty in the city, serving the public and helping keep our communities safe when they were subject to a vicious attack.

“The officer suffered one of the most horrific physical injuries that I have seen in the 22 years I have been a police officer.

“The physical and mental scarring from this assault will have an impact for many years to come, affecting them both at work and in their personal lives.

“It may be the case that those scars never fully heal."

The Police Federation’s ongoing Protect the Protectors campaign seeks better protection for the police and other emergency service workers through tougher sentencing and better protective equipment.

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“Assaults on our officers, or on police staff or any other emergency service personnel for that matter, should not be tolerated under any circumstances.

“There can be no excuse, justification or mitigating reasons for these attacks.

“The sentence handed down in this case should serve as a punishment to the offender but also act as a deterrent to others who may think it is okay to abuse and attack our officers and other emergency service workers.”

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